1 c. Crisco
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1 c. molasses
2 tbsp. vinegar
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tbsp. ginger
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. cloves
5 c. flour (more or less)

Cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs, molasses and vinegar; beat well. Sift dry ingredients together and mix into creamed mixture. Chill in refrigerator for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight. Place a wet piece of paper towel on table and then cover it with a piece of heavy duty tin foil. Flour the foil and roll dough to a little more than 1/8" thick. Cut house pieces out and remove excess dough from around edge of pieces. Transfer onto cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees for about 10 minutes. Cool slightly, remove to flat surface. Wipe off foil and use over and over. These pieces should be made several days before erecting houses. Put houses together with the following:

ROYAL ICING:

3 egg whites, room temp.
1 lb. confectioners' sugar
1 tbsp. cornstarch

Beat all ingredients at low speed for 10 minutes if using a Kitchenaid mixer, but at least 15 minutes on medium-high speed when using an regular kitchen mixer. Make sure bowl and beaters are completely grease-free!